Page 34 - Investment Advisor September 2021

firms. The company is committed to uncovering strategic endary Dom Raso, Navy SEAL and founder of Dynamic
insights in partnership with companies hoping to define the Alliance. Each episode includes a fireside chat between RFG
future of finance. The RDCL and FlexShares partnership CEO Bobby White and Dom, along with RFG President
wants to provide insight and solutions to make a positive Shannon Spotswood on a variety of topics. The program
impact for advisors and investors. played a critical role in providing the emotional support need-
ed to survive and thrive during the pandemic. This was not
only true for advisors, but for clients who needed the ‘virtual
FIRMS – RIAs hand-holding’ this program provided.

Avitas Wealth Management, in response Robertson Stephens’ thought
to the pandemic, hosted weekly calls for leadership is led by Chief
clients from division leaders in the equity, Investment Officer Stuart Katz and Chief Economist Jeanette
fixed income and private equity markets. Garretty. Since the firm’s founding in 2018, Katz has been
On each call, company leaders discussed information regard- instrumental in building the reputation of the firm as an
ing the impact of COVID as well as tax changes and charitable innovative, nimble, fiduciary-minded firm, poised to attract
planning updates. Avitas developed the Total Wealth the top talent in the industry and a diverse, committed client
Organization platform where clients can access a real-time, base. Garretty is a leading voice at the firm and in the indus-
comprehensive wealth statement reflecting their entire net try. This past year, her insights played an important role dur-
worth, while having the peace of mind of secure vault storage ing uncertain times — one of assuring clients and the
for important documents. While many businesses were forced industry, while providing context and understanding for the
to scale back, Avitas managed to expand during COVID, grow- investor community.
ing its team by 30%.
The Humphreys Group is a women-
Edelman Financial Engines, with owned and operated wealth manage-
financial education at the heart of ment firm and a longtime champion of leading by core values.
its platform, has held more than 270 webinars during the In 2020, THG became certified as a B Corporation, meeting
COVID-19 pandemic, providing more than 75,000 people with the highest standards of positive impact on society and the
special reports and research on not only the pandemic, but also environment. THG now is placing ESG funds at the forefront
about the 2020 presidential election. The firm’s founder, Ric of their marketing initiatives. The firm actively promotes
Edelman, appeared in September on an Instagram Live event engagement and learning about ESG funds via blog posts,
with Forbes to discuss how investors make mistakes by letting social media and hosting webinars on the topic. In addition,
the election results influence their investing strategy. The firm the team has created an ESG questionnaire that helps them
also recently partnered with HerMoney founder Jean Chatzky match the funds to their clients’ values.
to produce research and an action-oriented educational webi-
nar focused on women & money.
INDIVIDUALS – ASSET MANAGEMENT/
Matson Money developed the Matson PORTFOLIO FIRMS
Method, which integrates research in
behavioral economics, finance, neuropsychology, and the field Omar Aguilar is a passionate advocate for
of human performance into an innovative and powerful invest- behavioral finance in his role with Charles
ing science. The firm’s structured funds approach, combined Schwab Investment Management (CSIM).
with its coaching for advisors and investors on how to invest Aguilar implemented the Biagnostics toolkit
without resorting to stock picking and attempts to predict the — a framework advisors can use to incorpo-
market, demonstrated Matson’s commitment to empowering rate behavioral finance into their practice. His process cre-
investors to stay disciplined over a lifetime of investing. Of the ates an emotionally and financially customized client
558 advisors using the Matson Method, many were able to experience by addressing behavioral biases and genera-
keep their clients on track in 2020 to stay invested throughout tional/life-stage challenges. He also uses his expertise in
the crisis and subsequent volatility. the collaboration between CSIM and the Investments &
Wealth Institute to help educate advisors about behavioral
RFG Advisory launched Become a finance. The collaboration included the launch of
Warrior Advisor Podcast & “Behavioral Finance Week,” which features a range of pro-
Support Program for Financial Advisors, which is based on an gramming and content for advisors to help them understand
advisor retreat held weeks before the pandemic with the leg- behavioral finance.

32 INVESTMENT ADVISOR SEPTEMBER 2021 | ThinkAdvisor.com